Gutter structure and method of making

ABSTRACT

A gutter enhancing device having a slot for a decorative insert. A gutter without a slot for a decorative insert onto which a decorative strip can be attached with an adhesive, or by another method, such as, for example, ultrasonic welding. A gutter endcap that can cover a gutter end and provide esthetic continuity with gutter façade.  
     A process for manufacture of gutters with decorative inserts by extruding a gutter with a slot for receiving and holding a decorative member; and injection moulding, blow forming, or thermoforming a decorative member configured and invented to slide into said slot. Further, a process for roll-forming of gutters, or other devices, such as, for example, an indoor moulding, from rolled metal sheets.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to methods for making rain guttersand products resulting from said methods. The inventive rain guttershave decorative features.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates to a gutter cover and/or shieldwhich is applied to an existing gutter system. The present inventionimproves the performance and aesthetic quality of the existing gutter.In addition, the present invention also provides a method for extrudingpolymer gutters and gutter decorative systems. Furthermore, the presentinvention provides a method for roll-forming of metal gutters and gutterdecorative systems.

[0003] Typically, a gutter system comprises a gutter trough constructedout of a single or multiple sections and appropriately placed downspouts.

[0004] Gutters are generally secured to the fascia board of a building.The materials which comprise the roof of the building are positioned tooverhang the fascia board, whereby rain and/or melting snow runs off ofthe roof and into the gutter.

[0005] The gutter trough generally comprises an elongated channelsection which is positioned just below the overhang of the first courseof roofing material. The gutter is positioned to receive the waterrunoff and channel it away from the building.

[0006] The majority of gutter systems currently in use are modularsystems constructed out of a lightweight aluminum, copper, steel and insome cases plastic. As these systems begin to age through exposure tovarious environmental conditions such as, excessive heat, excessivecold, and various precipitations they become unsightly, inefficient andultimately inoperative. In addition, and as the system ages, it becomessusceptible to molds and other intrusions which adhere themselves to thegutter system.

[0007] Also, older aluminum gutter systems become pitted and rusted fromexposure to the elements. The pitting and rusting of an existing guttersystem, especially at the seam or joint between two gutter troughs, maycause leaks and seriously affect the efficiency of the system.

[0008] Moreover, such pitting and rusting makes it practicallyimpossible to paint the gutter in order to improve its appearance.

[0009] Accordingly, and as a gutter system ages the performance andoverall appearance of the system is adversely affected. Moreover, mostgutter systems are painted white which further enhances the problem ofunsightly blemishes on the gutter facade.

[0010] Present gutters are usually manufactured according tostandardized formats. As a result, transportation of suchpremanufactured gutters is usually cumbersome. In addition,premanufactured rain gutters do not fit onto many custom built homes andtherefore have to be adjusted accordingly.

[0011] Furthermore, it is often the case that the customer may changehis or her mind right before installation making it more difficult totransport the gutter back and forth to accommodate the exchange.Moreover, sometimes the transaction is unnecessarily delayed because theinstaller has to measure the building, manufacture, and come back toinstall the gutter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of present invention is to provide a unitary gutterenhancement device which improves the appearance and performance of anexisting gutter.

[0013] Another object of present invention is to provide an economicalmeans for repairing an existing gutter system.

[0014] Another object of present invention is to provide an economicalmeans for changing the overall appearance of an existing gutter system.

[0015] Another object of present invention is to provide a modularsystem for use with an existing gutter which improves the efficiency andappearance of the same.

[0016] Still another object of present invention is to provide a raingutter and indoor moulding structures which are easier and lessexpensive to manufacture than injection molded rain gutters.

[0017] Yet another object of present invention is to provide a processfor extruding rain gutters and gutter decorative systems.

[0018] Still yet another object of present invention is to provide aprocess for roll-forming of rain gutters and gutter decorative systems,which can be transported to the site and performed on-site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rain gutterconstructed in accordance with the present invention and consisting of amain gutter body and a decorative insert;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the raingutter of FIG. 1 positioned on a house;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a form plate with a form hole for extruding a partuseful in making the inventive rain gutter;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an extrusion apparatuswith the form plate in its functional position and extruding a length ofrain gutter constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an inventive rain gutterconstructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating the main gutter body and a decorative strip;

[0024]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the inventive rain gutter with a gutter façade constructedin accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention and thedecorative insert; and a perspective view of a decorative insert;

[0025]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the insertion of thedecorative insert into its final position in a slot on the gutterassembly illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6 b;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a rolled metal sheet beingroll-formed into a rain gutter constructed in accordance with a fourthembodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rain gutter roll-formed from therolled metal sheet using the process illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an indoor moulding constructed inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment agutter façade constructed in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0030]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a decorative insert adapted to beused in the gutter façade illustrated in FIG. 11;

[0031]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the insertion of thedecorative insert illustrated in FIG. 12 into position in a slot on thegutter façade illustrated in FIG. 11;

[0032]FIG. 14 is a plan view of a right gutter endcap in accordance withthe present invention;

[0033]FIG. 15 is a right hand end elevation view of the gutter endcapillustrated in FIG. 14; and

[0034]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of decorativeinsert in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0035] A rain gutter assembly 1 constructed in accordance with thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Gutter assembly 1 comprisesa gutter 10. Gutter 10 defines a slot 12 for receiving and holding adecorative insert 14.

[0036] Gutter 10 comprises a gutter back 16. A gutter bottom 18 ongutter 10 is positioned at a ninety degree angle with respect to gutterback 16 of gutter 10. Gutter bottom 18 is integral with gutter back 16.A gutter front 20, which also forms part of gutter 10, is integral withgutter bottom 18 of gutter 10, and extends from gutter bottom 18 at anangle greater than ninety degrees. A leaf screen receiving channel 22 isdefined by gutter front 20. Portions 21, 23, 25 and 27 extends fromgutter front 20 at an angle of, for example, about ninety degrees toform channel 22.

[0037] Gutter front 20 of gutter 10 has slot 12 for receiving andholding the decorative insert 14. Slot 12 is defined by a lower slide-inrail 26 and an upper slide-in rail 28.

[0038] Rain gutter 10 and all its parts is made of extruded polymer. Thepolymer used can be polyvinyl chloride, high impact polystyrene, anacrylic polymer, or copolymer, or other suitable synthetic polymermaterial. Rain gutter 10 can have varying coloration by changing thecolor of the materials used to fabricate the polymerized polymermixtures extruded by the extruder making gutter 10 and the injectionmoulding device used to mold decorative insert 14.

[0039] Decorative insert 14 is held in its functional position in slot12 of gutter 10. Lower slide-in rail 26 of slot 12 receives and holds alower slide-in edge 34 of decorative insert 14. Upper slide-in rail 28receives and holds an upper slide-in edge 36 on the decorative insert14. When the back 30 of decorative insert 14 is touching gutter front 20of gutter 10, as illustrated FIG. 1, decorative insert 14 displays itsdecorative front 32.

[0040] Decorative insert 14 can be manufactured using the same polymermaterial, high impact polystyrene, or other material as used in themanufacture of gutter 10. The coloration of the decorative insert 14 canbe changed by changing the color of the Polymer used to make the variouscomponent parts.

[0041] Even after the gutter has been installed, decorative insert 14may be replaced by another decorative insert (not illustrated) with adifferent decoration, coloration, pattern, and/or a combination ofthese. The decorative insert 14 can be placed in position by sliding thedecorative insert into the slot 12 of gutter 10 and replaced by slidingone decorative insert 14 out and sliding another decorative insert 14into place of the previous decorative insert 14. In this matter, theappearance of the gutter can be made attractive and easily changed tosuit the style or whim of the owner.

[0042] Decorative insert 14 can be replaced at any time as desired. Thereplacement of decorative insert 14 is a procedure designed to beperformed by any person with average manual dexterity and with nospecial skills. Decorative insert 14 can be replaced while gutter 10 ispositioned on the building. There is no need to remove or replace anyother part when one wants to replace decorative insert 14.

[0043] Turning now to FIG. 2, which schematically shows how the raingutter 10 is attached to a fascia board 38 of a house 40. Gutter 10 isheld in its functional position by having gutter back 16 securelyattached to fascia board 38 of house 40. In this position gutter front10 faces outward and displays decorative insert 14, which is held in itsfunctional position in and by slot 12.

[0044] Where gutter 10 is so positioned on fascia board 38 of building40 as to receive runoff water from shingles 42, which make up a roof 44.A leaf screen 46 is positioned over the gutter volume 24. One edge ofthe leaf screen 46 rests on top of the fascia board 38 just below thelast shingle 42. The other edge of the leaf screen 46 rests in the leafscreen receiving channel 22 of rain gutter 10.

[0045] Runoff water 47 in from rain or melting snow flows down shingles42 and into gutter volume 24 of gutter 10, where it collects in a stream49. Guided by gutter bottom 18, the stream 49 of runoff water isdiverted to a leader and away from house 40. Leaf screen 46 protectsgutter 10 from clogging. Leaf screen 46 prevents leaves and other debrisfrom entering volume 24 and being entrained within runoff water stream49. As is well-known, leaves and debris, if they enter rain gutter 10will tend to clog debris filters and, possibly, also leaders and,ultimately, the gutter 10 itself. Thus, in accordance with the presentinvention, rain gutters, which are a functional and needed device forany homeowner, are made attractive. The present invention thus alsofills the gap between functionality of rain gutters 10 and theirpresentability by having decorative insert 14 on rain gutter 10.

[0046] Turning now to FIG. 3, an extrusion die 48 with a slot 50 forextruding a gutter profile is illustrated. Extrusion die 48 is typicallymade of metal to withstand the heat and forces of extrusion. Slot 50 canhave varying shape to resemble a desired shape for gutter 10.

[0047] A back extrusion slot portion 52 is included in extrusion die 48for extruding gutter back 16. A bottom front slot portion 54 is includedin slot 50 for extruding the bottom portion of gutter front 20. A frontchannel slot portion 56 is provided for extruding portion 27 of channel22. A back channel slot portion 58 serves the purpose of extrudingportion 23 of channel 22.

[0048] An extrusion apparatus 60 is shown in FIG. 4. Extrusion apparatus60 has an hopper 62 for receiving, holding, and feeding Polymer, duringthe extrusion of gutter 10. Extrusion die 48, illustrated in FIG. 3, ispositioned at the end of hopper 62 and is held against die support 64.

[0049] Extrusion die 48 is held in its functional position asillustrated FIG. 4. Pressure is applied to the Polymer melt 67 causingit to feed through extrusion die 48. Under directed pressure Polymermelt 67 is pushed through extrusion slot 50. As the Polymer melt comesthrough extrusion slot 50 it takes on the form of extrusion hole 50.After the Polymer melt passes through extrusion slot 50, it takes andretains the form of rain gutter 10.

[0050] In connection with this, it is noted that the shape of raingutter 10 is selected in such a way that it can be extruded. This is incontrast to the shape of decorative insert 14, which has a pattern 69pressed into it. Accordingly, decorative insert 14 must be injectionmolded. However the cost of injection moulding decorative insert 14 andextruding gutter 10 is substantially below the cost of injectionmoulding a gutter with a decorative face.

[0051] When the Polymer melt passes through slot portion 52 it becomesgutter back 16. When the Polymer melt passes through slot portion 54, itbecomes gutter front 20. When the Polymer melt passes through slotportion 56, it becomes portion 27 of channel 22. When the Polymer meltpasses through slot portion 58, it becomes portion 23 of channel 22.

[0052] In accordance with an alternative embodiment, channel 22 can beeliminated at the gutter form by blow moulding the gutter to includedecorative embossings.

[0053] In subsequent embodiments, parts performing the same or analogousfunctions are numbered with numbers which are a multiple of 100 greaterthan the corresponding or analogous parts in the FIG. 1 embodiment.

[0054] Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5.Rain gutter 110 having all its parts as shown in FIG. 1, namely gutterback 116, gutter bottom 118, gutter front 120, and leaf screen receivingchannel 122 with portions 121, 123, 125, and 127. However, there is noslot 112 for receiving and holding decorative insert 114. In thisembodiment gutter front 120 is flat and without slot 112. Decorativestrip 114 is permanently attached to gutter front 120, using glue or anyother similar method, thus resulting in displaying strip front 102.

[0055] Decorative strip 114 can be attached to gutter 110 with anadhesive or by ultrasonic welding. The back 104 of the decorative stripattaches to gutter front 120 displaying strip front 102 which has adecorative design 106.

[0056] Gutter 110 can be manufactured using injection mouldingtechniques, which are well-known and form no part of this invention. Inaddition, decorative strip 104 can be attached to that existing raingutter.

[0057] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.6. Rain gutter 210 is decorated with a gutter façade member 200, whichhas a slot 202 for receiving and holding decorative insert 214. Raingutter 210 may be a product specially manufactured to go with gutterfaçade 200, or make gutter 210 may be an existing rain gutter withbetter façade 200 being retrofitted as an aftermarket product.

[0058] In accordance with this embodiment of the present inventiongutter front 220 and gutter bottom 218 of gutter 210 are completelycovered by gutter façade member 200. Gutter back 216 is attached tofascia board 238 of building 240.

[0059] Gutter façade member 200 snaps onto gutter 210 and is held in itsfunctional position when a top façade grip 206 is snapped onto the leafscreen receiving channel 222 and a bottom façade grip 208 is wedgedbetween gutter back 216 and fascia board 238. When gutter façade member200 is snapped onto gutter 210 a façade back 211 is facing and istouching gutter front 220 and the inside of a façade bottom 212 isfacing and is touching gutter bottom 218.

[0060] Gutter façade member 200 can be manufactured in the same fashionas the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, by extrusion method shownin FIG. 4. Form plate 48 shown in FIG. 3 can have varying extrusionslots 50 for extruding different gutters and gutter façades. Gutterfaçade member 200 can be manufactured using the polymer described above.Gutter façade member 200 can therefore have varying coloration as thecolor of the polymer melt can be changed.

[0061] Once gutter façade member 200 is attached to gutter 210decorative insert 204 can be inserted into slot 202 for decoration.

[0062]FIG. 7 shows how decorative insert 204 is inserted into slot 202of gutter façade 200 of rain gutter 10. Similar to the FIG. 1embodiment, decorative insert 204 is held in its functional position inslot 202. Lower slide-in rail 214 of slot 202 receives and holds lowerslide-in edge 216 of decorative insert 204. Upper slide-in rail 218receives and holds upper slide-in edge 220 of decorative insert 202.With insert back 222 of decorative insert 202 up against a slot 224 ofgutter façade 200, decorative insert 202 displays its decorative front226.

[0063] Decorative insert 202 can be manufactured using the same polymeras used in the manufacture of gutter façade 200. The coloration ofdecorative insert 202 can be adjusted during its manufacture by changingthe color of Polymer. Decorative inserts 202 for the third embodimentcan be prefabricated off site, rolled up, and stored for compactpackaging and transportation. The installer, whether a professional or ahomeowner, can install decorative insert 202 onto gutter façade member200 without any special skill or training.

[0064] Yet still another embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 8. A rolled metal sheet 300 is provided for being roll-formed intoa rain gutter 10. As shown in FIG. 8, rolled metal sheet 300, afterroll-forming, is formed into a rain gutter 310.

[0065] This embodiment of the present invention is an economicalalternative to installation of pre-formed rain gutters. Rolled metalsheet 300 can be transported to the site in its rolled form eliminatingthe problems associated with transportation of bulky odd-sized objects,and because of the gutters are rolled formed on-site, there is almost100 percent economy in the use of the sheet metal.

[0066] The forming of gutter 310 occurs on the site. Roll-formingon-site can be convenient for the homeowner and the installer. Thehomeowner has the freedom to choose the shape of the new rain gutter 310on-site. The installer then roll-forms gutter 310 accommodating thehomeowner's design wishes and in accordance with the particulardimensions of the present house.

[0067] In FIG. 9 rain gutter 310 is shown after it has been roll-formedfrom rolled metal sheet 300 shown in FIG. 8. At the same time adecorative embossing 314 is embossed into the gutter has it is beingformed.

[0068] Turning now to FIG. 10. Yet another embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. In this case, an indoor moulding 400constructed in accordance with the method of the present invention isillustrated. Indoor moulding 400 is held in its functional position in acorner 402 of a rolled, formed by ceiling 404 and wall 406. Moulding 400is held in position by a screw 408 or any other similarly functioningdevice, or through the use of glue.

[0069] Indoor moulding 400 can be manufactured using polymer by beingblow formed. The coloration of the indoor moulding 400 can be varied bychanging the color of the Polymer. The shape of the indoor moulding 400can be varied by changing the shape of blow mold used in the fabricationprocess.

[0070] Indoor moulding 400 can also be manufactured using rolled metalsheets in a process similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8 by rollforming on site. The shape of indoor moulding 400 can be adjusted onsite in accordance with the particular dimensions of a room in thehouse.

[0071] Indoor moulding 400 is held in its functional position betweenceiling 404 and wall 406, thus displaying moulding front 410, whichfeatures a decorative design.

[0072] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.11. A gutter façade 500 has a bottom façade grip 502 and a façade bottom504. Facade 500 has a slot 506 for receiving and holding decorativeinsert (not illustrated), which is defined by a lower slide-in rail 510and an upper slide-in rail 512 and constitutes approximately one half ofthe height of a façade front 514. Gutter façade 500 has an upper façadegrip 516 and a façade cap 518, which forms a façade channel 520 forreceiving and holding a leaf screen. All façade 500 parts are identicaland continuous through the length of façade 500.

[0073] Gutter façade 500 may be manufactured and sold as a component ofor an accessory to a new rain gutter (not illustrated), or façade 500may be retrofitted as an aftermarket product, for fitting to existingnew or installed rain gutters.

[0074] In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention thegutter bottom, the gutter front and the leaf screen receiving channel ofthe rain gutter (not illustrated) can be completely covered by gutterfaçade 500. When façade 500 is held in its functional position, upperfaçade grip 516 covers the rain gutter leaf screen receiving channelmaking it inaccessible for receiving and holding the leaf screen. Tosolve this problem, gutter façade 500 is provided with an upper façadegrip 516, which forms a façade channel 520 that can, in its turn,receive and hold the leaf screen.

[0075] Gutter façade 500 snaps onto the gutter and is held in itsfunctional position (as illustrated in FIG. 6) when a top façade grip516 is snapped onto the leaf screen receiving channel and a bottomfaçade grip 502 is wedged between the gutter back and the fascia board.When gutter façade 500 is snapped onto the rain gutter a façade back 522is facing and is touching the gutter front and the inside of a façadebottom 524 is facing and is touching the gutter bottom. For additionalgrip a façade bottom 804 can have an adhesive strip 525. Adhesive strip525 can be attached to a pre manufactured gutter façade 500 so that theinstaller can peel off an adhesive guard 527 thus exposing an adhesivesurface 529. Adhesive surface 529, when exposed, attaches to gutterbottom (not shown).

[0076] Gutter façade 500 can be manufactured in a similar fashion to thepreferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, by extrusion method shown in FIG.4. Form plate 48 shown in FIG. 3 can have various extrusion slots 50 forextruding different gutters and gutter façades. Gutter façade 500 can bemanufactured from a suitable polymer material as described above. Gutterfaçade 500 can have any desired color by suitably pigmenting the polymermelt, or coating the façade 500.

[0077] Gutter façade 500 can also be manufactured using rolled metalsheets in a process similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8 by rollforming on site. The shape or proportions of gutter façade 500 can beadjusted on site in accordance with the particular dimensions of thehouse.

[0078] Some exemplary, non-limiting dimensions for gutter façade 500include a façade bottom 504 measuring in depth, for example, about 5 cm(about 2 in) from lower slide-in rail 510 to bottom façade grip 502.Facade front 514 can measure in height, for example, about 6 cm (about 3in). Façade front 514 extends from façade bottom 504 at an angle, forexample, of about 108°. Gutter façade 500 can have varying length if itwill be manufactured on site. If façade 500 is pre manufactured offsite, it can measure, for example, approximately 3 m.

[0079] Once gutter façade 500 is attached to the rain gutter thedecorative insert can be inserted into and drawn along slot 506 fordecoration.

[0080] Turning now to FIG. 12, yet another embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a decorative insert 600. Decorative insert 600 hasan upper slide-in margin 602. A small portion 604, or lip, of upperslide-in margin 602 is bent away at angle from a decorative front 606.Similarly, a small portion 608 of a lower slide-in margin 610 ofdecorative insert 600, is bent away at angle from decorative front 606.A middle portion 612 of decorative insert 600 features decoration 614,which can take any desired esthetic or structural form and may becoated, overlaid, engraved or relief. Preferably, however, decoration614 is molded into insert 600. For example, portions 616, 618, and 620of the illustrated cross-section of insert 600 outline decorative designelements of decoration such as 614.

[0081] Decorative insert 600 can be manufactured using the similarpolymer material to that used in the manufacture of the gutter façade,for example, by blow forming, injection molding, thermoforming, or othersuitable technique. The color of decorative insert 600 can be determinedduring manufacture by selecting the color of the polymer. The length ofinsert 600 can, for example, be 5 m. Such decorative insert 600 designedand constructed in accordance with the present invention can beprefabricated off site, rolled up, and stored for compact packaging andtransportation. The installer, whether a professional or a homeowner,can install decorative insert 600 onto the gutter façade without anyspecial skill or training, for example, as described with reference toFIG. 13.

[0082]FIG. 13 shows how decorative insert 600 can be inserted into aslot 622 of a gutter façade 624 mounded on a rain gutter. Similar to theFIG. 6 embodiment, decorative insert 600 is held in its functionalposition in slot 622. A lower slide-in rail 626 of slot 622 receives andholds lower slide-in margin 610 of decorative insert 600. An upperslide-in rail 628 receives and holds upper slide-in margin 602 ofdecorative insert 600. With insert back 630 of decorative insert 600 upagainst slot 622 of gutter façade 624, decorative insert 600 displaysits decorative front 632.

[0083] Decorative insert 600 can be inserted into a slot 622 and pulledalong the entire length of gutter façade 624. Such positioning ensuresthat the decorative front 632 of insert 600 is displayed along theentire length of gutter façade 624 that extends along the dimensions ofa house. Decorative insert 600 can be manufactured on site and itslength then will be determined by the length of gutter façade 624.Decorative insert 600 can also be pre manufactured off site and insertedinto slot 622 of gutter façade 624 on site, in this case the length ofdecorative insert 600 can be adjusted by manually cutting the strip (notshown) of decorative insert 600 to match the length of slot 622 ofgutter façade 624. Small portion 604 of upper slide-in margin 602 andsmall portion 608 of lower slide-in margin 610 are bent to ensure atighter fit along the entire length of decorative insert 600 in slot 622for improved resilience.

[0084] Yet still another embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. A gutter endcap 700 has a cap body 702 and a gripperlip 704. Gripper lip 704 of endcap 700 is integral with cap body 702.Gripper lip 704 preferably extends from cap body 702 at an angle ofabout ninety degrees. Endcap 700 is designed for gripper lip 704 to fitover and securely grip an end of decorative façade. Right gutter endcap700 (shown) is a mirror image of left gutter endcap (not shown).

[0085] In one preferred embodiment, an end side 706 of endcap 700 canmeasure approximately 9 cm. A top end 708 of endcap 700 can measureapproximately 10 cm. A bottom end 710 of endcap 700 can measureapproximately 10 cm.

[0086] Gutter endcap 700 is held in its functional position by snappingonto the end of rain gutter. Gutter endcap 700 fits over an existing ororiginal equipment gutter end, to mask it and provide estheticcontinuity with decorative façade.

[0087] Gutter endcap 700 can be manufactured using the same polymermaterial as used in the manufacture of the gutter façade. Gutter endcap700 can be manufactured using a suitable polymer by being blow formed,injection molded, or thermoformed. The coloration of endcap 700 can beadjusted during its manufacture by changing the color of polymer. Suchgutter endcap 700 designed and constructed in accordance with thepresent invention can be prefabricated off site and stored for compactpackaging and transportation. The installer, whether a professional or ahomeowner, can install gutter endcap 700 onto the gutter without anyspecial skill or training.

[0088]FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Adecorative insert 800 has an upper slide-in edge 802, a back side 804, alower slide-in edge 806, and an insert front 808 featuring variousdecorative designs illustrated by portions 810, 812, and 814.

[0089] Decorative insert 800 is held in its functional position in theslot for receiving and holding decorative inserts as shown in FIG. 36.

[0090] Decorative insert 800 can be manufactured using the same polymermaterial as used in the manufacture of the gutter façade. Decorativeinsert 800 can be manufactured using polymer by being blow formed,injection molded, or thermoformed. The coloration of decorative insert800 can be adjusted during its manufacture by changing the color of thepolymer. Such decorative insert 800 designed and constructed inaccordance with the present invention can be prefabricated off site,rolled up, and stored for compact packaging and transportation. Theinstaller, whether a professional or a homeowner, can install decorativeinsert 800 onto the gutter façade member or, for example, a gutter withpreformed slot, without any special skill or training.

[0091] As previously contemplated, one embodiment of decorative insert800, can have a total length of about 150 cm (about 5 ft). The height ofinsert back 804, from upper slide-in margin 802 to lower slide-in margin806, can be about 58 cm (1.9 ft). The depth of upper slide-in margin 802and lower slide-in margin 806 can be about 12.5 cm (about 5 in) from anedge of insert 800 to insert front 808.

[0092] While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed, it is understood that various modifications will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications are within thespirit and scope of the invention, which is limited and defined only bythe appended claims.

1. A gutter, comprising: a) an elongated channel defining member; b) anelongated slot dispose on said channel defining member; and c) adecorative insert dimensioned and configured to slide into saidelongated slot.
 2. A gutter cover, comprising: a) gutter cover bodywhich snaps over an existing gutter; b) slot dispose on said over bodyfor receiving and holding a decorative insert; and c) a decorativeinsert.
 3. A gutter façade, comprising: a) a gutter cover body mountableon an existing gutter; b) a slot on said cover body for receiving andholding a decorative insert; and c) a façade lip that forms a façadechannel for receiving an holding a leaf screen.
 4. A decorative insert,for a façade according to claim 9 , 10 , or 12, comprising: a) adecorative front; b) an upper slide-in margin a top portion of which isbent away from decorative front; and c) a lower slide-in margin a bottomportion of which is bent away from decorative front.
 5. A decorativeinsert, for a façade according to claim 9 , 10 , or 12, comprising: a) adecorative front; b) an upper slide-in edge; and c) a lower slide-inedge.
 6. A gutter endcap, comprising: a) a gripper lip for fitting overand securely gripping an end of decorative façade; and b) a cap body forcovering gutter end.
 7. A method of improving the appearance and orperformance of an existing gutter system comprising the step of: a)applying a gutter enhancement device having ornamental features.
 8. Aprocess for manufacture of gutters with decorative inserts, comprisingthe steps of: a) extruding a gutter with a slot for receiving adecorative member; b) injection moulding, blow forming, or thermoforminga decorative member configured and invention to slide into said slot;and c) an indoor moulding manufactured according to steps a) and b) andcomprising an elongated decorative moulding dimensioned and configuredto fit into a corner of a room, formed by ceiling and wall.
 9. A processfor roll-forming of gutters from rolled metal sheets, comprising thesteps of: a) rolling a metal sheet to give said metal sheet apre-stamped design along their length; and b) rolling said metal sheetto form said metal sheet into the form of a gutter.
 10. The method as inclaim 13 to wherein said method is carried but after transporting a rollforming device on-site, and said process is carried out by roll-formingon-site in accordance with the particular dimension needed for aparticular job.